During this period you can register, prepare and plan for Murder under the Microscope.
1 August—Gamesite live
Weeks 1–2
Site orientation and class preparation Class preparation includes:
teacher finding out the level of students’ background knowledge
students developing an understanding of environmental issues
students researching issues described in the activity cards (available in the Resources section).
Week 3
The investigation hots up! A list of possible villains will be available on the website. The students should:
interrogate the website for clues
brainstorm places to obtain further information on crime sites, victims and villains
investigate issues in each crime site
research the victims and their habitats
report back to the whole class on findings.
Weeks 4–5
Investigators are encouraged to use the website to receive some hints from experts. Catchment HQ’s crime site investigator visits the crime site to report on the crime and the suspects in the case. Using knowledge gained while working on the activity cards (in the Resources section), student investigators now begin the process of research and elimination to try to identify the correct victim, villain and crime site. Research methods include using classroom resources; online searches; telephoning, writing to or emailing organisations that may have information on the victims and villains; and sharing the information with other members of the team. Daily clues are posted on the website from Catchment HQ personnel. Students can post questions to the website science experts and check answers to questions others have posted. At the end of this period, student investigators have 24 hours to make their accusations.
Week 6 and after
Investigators can now prepare a digital story that shows how a local environmental action has resulted in an improved environment in their local area. They can then include their entry in the Connected Learning Awards. http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/webdesign/ This is where the early hard work and research can really pay off.
Timeline
February to August—pre-game phase
During this period you can register, prepare and plan for Murder under the Microscope.1 August—Gamesite live
Weeks 1–2
Site orientation and class preparationClass preparation includes:
Week 3
The investigation hots up! A list of possible villains will be available on the website.The students should:
Weeks 4–5
Investigators are encouraged to use the website to receive some hints from experts.Catchment HQ’s crime site investigator visits the crime site to report on the crime and the suspects in the case.
Using knowledge gained while working on the activity cards (in the Resources section), student investigators now begin the process of research and elimination to try to identify the correct victim, villain and crime site.
Research methods include using classroom resources; online searches; telephoning, writing to or emailing organisations that may have information on the victims and villains; and sharing the information with other members of the team.
Daily clues are posted on the website from Catchment HQ personnel.
Students can post questions to the website science experts and check answers to questions others have posted.
At the end of this period, student investigators have 24 hours to make their accusations.
Week 6 and after
Investigators can now prepare a digital story that shows how a local environmental action has resulted in an improved environment in their local area. They can then include their entry in the Connected Learning Awards.http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/webdesign/
This is where the early hard work and research can really pay off.